Paradise Lost...and found






I've been to Sta. Ana, Cagayan, recently to take part in their Viray Festival, an annual cultural celebration that brings to mind how the first settlers of this fishing village from neighboring Ilocos arrived in the early '50s via a boat called "Viray."

I tell you, the sheer beauty and mystical allure of the town is beyond words. I guess this was how the first residents of Sta. Ana also felt when they "discovered" this fishing village and never left -for good.

It was a long journey to Sta. Ana from Manila, around 15 to 16 hours including 6 pitstops. I strongly advise those planning an adventure trip to leave Manila in the evening para hindi kayo masyado ma-bore during the trip.

There are only six resorts in the entire town so it's wise to go there during off-peak season para ma-solo nyo ang Sta. Ana.

You could island-hop from any of the six (or five) islands in Sta. Ana and if you are lucky, you might even encounter dolphins along the way. We saw a few on our way to Palaui Island. There are also tiger sharks and great whites, mind you. The waters surrounding the island is hugged by the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea so sightings of these creatures comes with the territory.

Another must-see destination is the lighthouse used to light galleon trades in Spanish colonial times. The ascent to the lighthouse is quite tiring but if my five-year-old can do it (yes, umakyat si River sa tuktok), then there's no excuse why anybody can't do it.

Just check out the pictures...

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